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Public service operational delivery officer

Overview of the role

Working in local and central government to ensure the public gets the services and protection they need.

Reference Number: ST0314

Details of standard

Operational Delivery Officers have the vital job of keeping the country running. They make sure that citizens get the services and protection they need, and help people understand what is available and what they need to do to comply with the rules. Operational Delivery Officers make a difference every day to the lives of millions of people. They do hundreds of jobs in most departments and agencies in central government. They also work in local government, delivering services for towns, cities, boroughs or counties.

This apprenticeship will give you great development opportunities to equip you to be an internationally-recognised professional in the part of the Civil Service that really makes things happen for customers and businesses.

What Apprentices will do

A career in operational delivery is varied and involves working on the front line in different public-facing environments. You will be dealing with different types of customers and delivering a range of public services, but the skills and behaviours you need will be the same whatever you do.

Operational Delivery Officer roles include bringing data and evidence together, and making sure it is correct. You may also be considering applications, analysing information and making decisions.

Duties will depend on who the public service employer is and what they are responsible for: you could find yourself working in any occupational delivery area of central or local government. As an Operational Delivery Officer you could be:

Services

Protection

managing cases and resolving customer enquiries

assessing and collecting various taxes across central and local government

giving people welfare or pensions advice, or supporting them to get back to work

issuing UK passports and making decisions about who has the right to visit or to stay in the country

processing driving licence applications

supporting citizens in court

validating peoples’ identities, and carrying out background checks or interviews

carrying out searches on people, vehicles, freight and baggage

collecting outstanding debts

stopping entitlements for people who should not be getting them

rehabilitating offenders and supporting victims and witnesses

responding to outbreaks and incidents, co-ordinating information and deploying resources

When trained, you may move around roles or departments to develop and make the most of your skills.

Values, Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

Values

What is required

Integrity

Putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests

Honesty

Being truthful and open

Objectivity

Basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of evidence

Impartiality

Acting according to the merits of each case and serving the government of the day impartially

Knowledge

What is required

Legislation, policies and procedure

Understanding the principles, practices, regulations and law in your own area of operational delivery, and how it is applied and the effect it has, from supporting the needs of the most vulnerable individuals to keeping the UK’s borders secure

Customers

Understanding the diverse range of customers and communities, and their needs, rights and expectations, from individuals to the biggest multi-national businesses

Range of services

Having an appreciation of the range of public services available that are delivered across government, from ensuring money is available to fund public services to making payments to pensioners

Skills

What is required

Customer service

Delivering services to a wide range of customers, including those most in need and vulnerable, recognising that some customers will need extra support to access and use services. You will be providing a professional service at the right time and in a non- judgmental way. This includes carrying out calculations based on information received and giving accurate advice and guidance to help citizens understand what they need to do

Working together

Working well with your team, colleagues and others and developing productive working relationships to achieve individual, team and business results

Gathering and managing information

Complying with data protection principles. Accurately reviewing, validating, processing and storing information from a range of sources and accurately using it to meet customers’ needs in a way they find clear and easy to understand. You may be analysing information for discrepancies, potential fraud or non-compliance. This could also support interviews and investigations

Negotiating and managing information

Using tact and diplomacy to negotiate with individuals or businesses to ensure they comply with the rules, and reaching solutions that suit all parties and are right for the business

problem solving and decision making

Identifying problems quickly and using a range of techniques to solve them and stop them happening again. This includes preventing a customer having to contact us a number of times

Tools and equipment

Using IT systems to manage, share and store information. This includes using office equipment appropriately and reporting poor performance of services you use to do your job

Professionalism, self management and awareness

Taking responsibility for your own actions. This includes being self-motivated, and planning work to make sure that tasks are completed and deadlines met

Behviours

What is required

Changing and improving

Being open to change. This includes being creative in supporting continuous improvement or changes to systems or processes that affect the way you do your job

Making effective decisions

Having sound judgement. This includes making decisions about the relevance, quality and accuracy of the information available to you and using and sharing it appropriately

Leading and communicating

Leading by example. This includes being even-handed, supportive, and not letting personal opinions override business needs, and communicating professionally, openly and honestly

Collaborating and partnering

Working collaboratively and building professional relationships with colleagues. This includes working as part of a team and developing contacts so you can support each other

Building capability for all

Learning and building your own knowledge and skills, and developing the mindset and ways of working to continually improve

Managing a quality service

Delivering a quality service. This includes ‘going the extra mile’, and showing an awareness of different customer needs (for example, those with disabilities)

Delivering at pace

Delivering at pace, working to agreed goals and activities, and responding to challenges constructively, for example managing time well and thinking positively

Additional information

Entry requirements

Age 16 and over

Duration

12 - 18 months

Level

Level 3

Qualifications

Apprentices must achieve:

a Level 2 Award in Operational Delivery (Principles)

This allows learners to develop the knowledge required for employment and/or career progression within Operational Delivery. The qualification includes units on principles of working in operational delivery, providing customer service, equality and diversity.

and a Level 3 Certificate in Operation Delivery (Advanced)

This allows learners to develop the knowledge required for employment and/or career progression within Operational Delivery. The qualification includes units on working in operational delivery, providing customer service, managing team performance, operational delivery interviews and visits.